Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on quality of life in persons with depression: a case-control study

Background- Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common condition with a high rate of recurrence, chronicity, and staggering economic burden, including disability in the workforce. By 2030, MDD is projected to become a leading cause of global disease burden according to the World Health Organization. Depression is strongly associated with impairment in quality of life (QOL). The impairment remains persistent even after recovery from depressive symptoms. Hence, there has been increasing recognition that symptomatic remission is an insufficient goal of treatment for MDD and that return to premorbid psychosocial functioning should be targeted.

 Aims and Objectives- To find out the effectiveness of CBT in the recovery of QoL. 

Methods and Materials- Pre and post test with control group intervention was used. 30 samples were collected based on the purposive sampling method from the Mental Health Institute, S.C.B Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha. Assessment was done by using Semi-Structured History Taking Performa, Beck Depression Inventory-II, WHOQOL-BREF. SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis of data. 

Results- The combined intervention of CBT and Pharmacotherapy produced better effect than only CBT and only pharmacotherapy across all four domains of QoL. However, only CBT also produced relatively similar effects as of combined interventions in the other three domains of QoL except physical health.